Sunday, November 15, 2026
Charles (Charlie) Singhas Yates, 89, of Spotsylvania, Virginia, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, April 9th at his home, surrounded by family.
Charlie was born on November 16th, 1934, in Washington, D.C., at Sibley Hospital, the child of Charles F. Yates and W. Ruth Singhas. He attended George Washington High School in Alexandria where he worked at his uncle’s gas station each day after school.
Charlie graduated from Shepherd University in 1956 with a degree in Economics. Twice voted president of his fraternity, Zeta Sigma, Charlie also served as class president during his senior year. While at Shepherd, Charlie married the love of his life and high school sweetheart, Jacqueline Stratton.
At 23, Charlie passed his CPA exam and soon became a partner with accounting firm Buchannan and Co. He later established his own CPA practice, Yates, Klutz, and Frazier of Alexandria.
In 1984, Charlie was voted Shepherd University Alumnus of the year. Among his many business accomplishments, Charlie served as vice president of Winkler Management Company, where he was involved with the development of shopping centers, apartments, and office buildings. He was also part-owner of Fairfax Sportsplex and helped develop the first automated system for preparation of income tax returns.
Charlie was known for his lifelong love of sports. Whether a spectator or a player, he enjoyed golf, tennis, pickleball, hunting, fishing, and attending college football games. For many years, he and Jacque wintered in Marco Island, Florida, where the climate offered more opportunity to enjoy physical activity and a healthy lifestyle.
Active in his community, Charlie was a longstanding member of his home church, Wilderness Community Church of Spotsylvania. Charlie was also a 32-degree Freemason of the Scottish Rite associated with the Alexandria-Washington Lodge No. 22. He and his wife, Jacque, have been together for over 70 remarkable years. They raised three children: Debbie, Lee, and Jeff.
Charlie is preceded in death by his beloved sons and grandson, Stuart Lee and Jefferson Stratton Yates, and Stuart Duncan Yates. He is also preceded in death by his sisters, Charlene Walkins and Mary Jean Yates Rowe.
He is survived by his wife, Jacqueline S. Yates (Stratton), his daughter, Deborah Paxton, his daughter-in-law, Elizabeth Yates, his stepson, Nader (Mary Ellen) Yousefian, and his grandchildren and great-grandchildren, respectively: Kristie (Jeffrey) Tucker, Michael Paxton, Chad (Jenifer) Paxton, Tiffany (David) Kimberlin, Hannah Yousefian, Elliot (Laura) Yousefian, Braden Yates, and Sarah (Matthew) Absher; and great-grandchildren Elijah, Mattie, Aubrey, Tanner, Little Charlie, Clara, and Launi-Rae.
Charlie is also survived by countless extended family and close friends. He maintained many friendships from his childhood in Alexandria.
He was loyal to his family, friends, and church.
A celebration of life will take place in late May. The announcement will be posted on a later date.
4/18/2024 Coastal Breeze News
